How do affiliate links work

Redirect to the Shopify App Store (recommended)

You can also utilize referral links that redirect directly to the Shopify App Store. To enable accurate tracking and attribution of installs for your publishers, you need to integrate a simple code into your app. Once you correctly implement the tracking code, all affiliate links will directly point to the App Store instead of a custom installation page.

Pros

A seamless solution for a fluent user experience – merchants land on the Shopify App Store and install the app as they're accustomed to.
You can use the discount feature and allow your publishers to offer discounts on their affiliate links to enhance the efficiency of your affiliate program.
The tracking code is loaded asynchronously and won't impact any of your app performance metrics like LCP.

Cons

Requires technical implementation.

Custom installation page (no longer used)

When you successfully pair your application, your publishers can register and generate affiliate links that will look like this:



On this page, the merchant enters their store domain. After clicking the 'Authorize App' button, they will be redirected to the regular Shopify installation flow:



When you or any of your publishers enter a store's domain (e.g., www.something.com or www.something.myshopify.com), they are instantly redirected to the Shopify installation process. This process installs the app on the merchant's store, and the merchant is attributed and confirmed within the next hour.

Pros

The solution works out of the box—no implementation is needed.
The method is 100% cookie-independent.

Cons

This is not a straightforward installation from the Shopify App Store. Although Shopify fully supports this method, it's not a typical one.
Overall, this method is the most reliable way to add app installation under the publisher's account.

Updated on: 25/12/2024